Nov. 2
A number of freshmen performed in key roles as diaper dandies last season. A year later, they have become my dazzling dozen super sophomores.

Making up this list was not easy. You can make a case for guys like Iowa State's Jake Sullivan and Michigan's Bernard Robinson Jr., but they ended up just missing my dazzling dozen.

	Super soph Jameer Nelson combines with Marvin O'Connor to give St. Joseph's one of the nation's top backcourts.

This season, my dazzling dozen super sophomores will be called upon to be PTPers. Let's start at Duke, where superstar Jason Williams has a sidekick to watch in Chris Duhon. Talk about a guy developing as the season progressed, baby! Duhon got better and better, and I feel he will have a phenomenal year in 2001-02. Playing against international competition helped him during the offseason.

My gut feeling is Duhon and Williams will not only be the best backcourt this year but also could go down as one of the top combinations of all time!

Expect a big-time year out of Jared Jeffries at Indiana. He's a do-it-all, inside-outside player for the Hoosiers. He should be able to produce for coach Mike Davis, and the year of experience under his belt will help him.

Indiana has solid perimeter players in Kyle Hornsby, Dane Fife and Tom Coverdale. The star of stars will be the local Bloomington flash, Mr. Jeffries. He is Mr. Versatility on that squad.

At Michigan State, Tom Izzo is expecting big things from guard Marcus Taylor. It should be a breakout year at the point for Taylor, who came in with a big-time reputation. He had to share the show with a host of other talented Spartans.

With Zach Randolph and Jason Richardson leaving early for the pros, plus the departures of Andre Hutson and Charlie Bell, this will be the year when Taylor becomes a standout. He should be a scoring wiz as well as a distributor in East Lansing.

Connecticut fans can expect a big-time year from Caron Butler. You know there are major expectations -- Butler was named first-team All-Big East in the preseason poll.

Jim Calhoun saw Butler showing flashes of brilliance last season. The 6-9 super soph has to be more consistent. He really developed over the summer playing internationally. Butler should be a key reason why the Huskies are contenders in the Big East again.

There is optimism galore at St. Joe's thanks to the backcourt tandem of Jameer Nelson and Marvin O'Connor. Nelson was my diaper dandy of the year last season. He was brilliant in helping the Hawks advance to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost a heartbreaker to Stanford. Nelson and O'Connor will be dynamite for Phil Martelli.

Down at Miami, the name is Rice and I'm not talking about Jerry. It is Darius Rice, a multi-skilled player who will give Miami a shot to make noise in the Big East. He should have a breakout year, utilizing all his talents as a go-to guy for Perry Clark and the Hurricanes.

Mississippi shocked the nation last season. Rod Barnes' kids played tough on the defensive end and got steady play out of Justin Reed. This season, Reed won't be a secret -- he will be a star who excels with the bright lights on. He gives Mississippi a solid performer.

At Georgetown, there is great enthusiasm and excitement; many pick the Hoyas as the best in the Big East. One key reason is the presence on the baseline of Michael Sweetney. He is physical and as tough as can be.

Speaking of the Big East, one of my potential surprise teams is Seton Hall. The Pirates have outstanding perimeter players, and one of the best is Andre Barrett. The point guard was recruited by Tommy Amaker, and he decided to stay with Seton Hall and new coach Louis Orr. He is a leader, a penetrator and a defensive stopper on the perimeter. I like his basketball IQ -- and he’s a winner.

At Xavier, Thad Matta was left with some solid players when he took over the program from Skip Prosser (who went to Wake Forest). One of them is Romain Sato, who can shoot the trifecta. After a year of learning last season, he should be a major factor as the Musketeers battle for supremacy in the Atlantic 10.

Toledo doesn't get a lot of recognition, but the Mid-American Conference year in and year out produces some outstanding players. One to keep an eye on is point guard Terry Reynolds. He knows how to win, as he succeeded in high school at Oak Hill Academy. Reynolds gives Toledo savvy at the point.

Rounding out the dazzling dozen is Arthur Johnson of Missouri. Yes, Kareem Rush and Clarence Gilbert have received most of the publicity, but Johnson will be a factor inside for Quin Snyder's highly ranked club.

That's my list of super sophs. They’re ready to make some serious noise. Remember, they didn't jump for the NBA draft, but stayed in school, hoping their stock goes up and up!